LOCAL NEWS | JULY 10, 2019

A Dauphin County man has been convicted of sex trafficking. Miguel Scott Arnold of Harrisburg was convicted last month in U. S. District Court on numerous charges, including conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and marijuana. Arnold was part of a sex trafficking operation that exploited over 20 victims, including juveniles. He and his co-conspirators coerced the sex trafficking victims though fraud, physical assault, the deprivation of heroin to addicted victims, and threats of violence. Arnold was remanded to the custody of U.S. Marshals at the request of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He has been incarcerated on state charges since August 2016.

The American Red Cross has issued an urgent call for blood and platelet donors of all blood types to give now and prevent delays in medical care. The Red Cross now has less than a three-day supply of most blood types available – and less than a two-day supply of type-O blood. At least a five-day supply is desired. Two local blood drives are scheduled for this week. The bloodmobile will be at Ellen Chapel Church on Ferguson Valley Road in Lewistown on Thursday (July 11th) from 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm. The Red Cross will also visit Lack Tuscarora EMS on Route 75 in East Waterford on Thursday (July 11th) from 1:30 pm to 7:00 pm.

The Mayor of Scranton has pled guilty to corruption charges. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania says Scranton Mayor William L. Courtright pled guilty to three felony public corruption offenses on July 2nd. According to a Department of Justice release, Courtright was engaging in a conspiracy with unidentified individuals to take bribes from vendors who did business with the city. The corrupt activities came to light during a multi-year undercover investigation headed by the FBI. The investigation revealed that the former mayor accepted cash payments from vendors in a pay-to-play scheme. Before entering his guilty pleas, Courtright resigned from his position as Mayor.